Shall we talk about scars after breast reduction surgery?

Are you planning to have breast reduction surgery? Or have you already had it? Then one of the biggest concerns or fears you have is about the scars that will appear after the surgery. "What will these scars look like?", "Will they be permanent?", "Is there a way to reduce them?" are probably on your mind. So don't worry. Today, we will talk about everything in a very simple way that you can understand.

First, let's see, what are these scars after breast surgery?

Simply put, scars are the result of your body's natural healing process. Imagine if you cut your arm, and within a few days, the wound heals and leaves a small scar. This is the same with this one. During breast reduction surgery, the surgeon makes an incision in your skin. Then, at the end of the surgery, the incision is sewn back up. Then, your body begins to heal the incision. During this healing process, new skin tissue (scar tissue) forms. That new tissue is what we see as a scar. This is nothing more than a natural healing process of the body.

What do these scars look like? How do they feel?

These scars look different for each person. But they usually look like thin lines that are slightly lighter or darker than your skin tone. Sometimes they can appear pink, red, purple, gray, or dark brown. It depends on your skin tone.

In the early days after surgery, you may feel a little itchy or sensitive in the areas where these scars are. This is also part of the healing process. Depending on the nature of your skin, some people may find that the scars become a little rough and rough. We'll talk about that in a bit.

Do scars change depending on the surgical procedure?

Yes, absolutely. The shape and size of the scar you have will depend on the type of incision your surgeon uses. There are two main methods.

Can scars sometimes peel off? (Complications)

Yes, depending on the nature of some people's skin, scars may not heal normally and may become a little itchy. There are two main types of these. It is very important to be aware of these two.

Your surgeon will explain to you in detail before the surgery which type of surgery is right for you, as well as how the scars will look based on your skin type.

How these scars change over time

Yes, scars don't always look the same. The appearance of scars can change a lot over time as your body heals.

After 6 weeks

For the first few weeks after surgery, you may not be able to see the scar because a bandage will be placed over your incision. When the bandage is removed as directed by your doctor, you may notice that the scar has turned a reddish-purple color . It may also be slightly raised than the surrounding skin. This is completely normal.

After 6 months

By now, the incision has healed well. So there is no need to apply a bandage. However, the scar is still fresh and will be clearly visible on the skin. It may be lighter or darker than your skin tone. There may still be some redness, but it is much less than before. The scar may still be slightly raised or may have started to flatten.

After a year

This is the time when the scar really starts to change. We call this the ``remodeling stage``. By this time, the scar will start to blend in with your skin tone . This means that it will become less dark or lighter. The scar will become flatter and smoother. This process can continue for months to years.

What can be done to reduce the appearance of scars?

The best way to reduce the appearance of scars is to follow your doctor's post-surgery instructions carefully. In addition, there are several things you can do to further reduce their appearance once they have fully healed.

• Creams or ointments: Using gels or ointments containing silicone can help reduce the appearance of scars. Sometimes these come in the form of silicone gel sheets. They can be applied to the scar. Although many people talk about vitamin E oil, it has not been scientifically proven to reduce scars.
• Cryosurgery/Cryotherapy: This involves using a special device to freeze and destroy scar tissue, leaving a smaller, less visible scar in that area.
• Injections: If you develop keloid scars, you can get corticosteroid injections to reduce their size.
• Laser treatments: Laser treatments can reduce the appearance of scars by removing the top layers of skin. Ask your doctor about this.
• Massage: Once the scar has healed well (usually after a few weeks), regular massage using an appropriate cream or lotion as directed by your doctor can speed up the healing process and reduce itching.

How to properly care for scars?

Scar care starts with caring for the surgical incision. Be very careful about these things after surgery.

• Avoid scratching: Itching is normal for scars to be itchy as they heal. But don't pick, scratch, or pick at them. Doing so can hinder the healing process and make the scars worse.
• Avoid smoking: If you smoke, talk to your doctor about quitting before surgery. Smoking significantly slows down the body's ability to heal and can make scars worse.
• Protect yourself from the sun: This is very important . Avoid direct sunlight on the areas with scars. If you are going outside, apply a good sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Or cover the area well with clothing. If you are exposed to the sun, scars will darken and start to appear more cracked.

What are the best times to see a doctor?

If you notice anything like this in your incision or scar after surgery, notify your doctor immediately.